Barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF) binds non-specifically to double stranded DNA, possibly to play a role in tissue- or cell type-specific gene expression by interacting with different homeodomain transcription factors. BAF compresses chromatin structure and interacts with the LEM domain of nuclear proteins to play a crucial role in membrane recruitment and chromatin decondensation during nuclear assembly. Additionally, retroviruses like HIV-1 incorporate BAF from host cells into preintegration complexes (PICs) to prevent autointegration of retroviral DNA and thereby promote integration of retroviral DNA into the host chromosome.